When I think of political poetry I think of poetry that makes a statement about power relations between people, peoples, nations, etc. Rarely does someone write poetry of a utopian political condition. Most often, the poet emphasizes the unequal and often unjust and abusive power of one over another. According to this definition all of Barrett Browning’s poems that we read for Monday suit, as well as those mentioned by Jose and Cara. (I will not rename them.) I do wonder if “Goblin Market” could be considered political? What do you think? From my definition of political poetry stated above, I am not sure because the subjects in the poem, namely sisters as one group and goblins another, have interactions of power. Laura succumbs to the goblin’s power and Lizzie transposes it from the goblins to herself. So, in thinking aloud (rather typing) I would say that “Goblin Market” is a political poem as well. In “Goblin Market” power relations exchange and transfer rather than remain stable as in the poems “The Cry of the Children” and “A Curse for a Nation” whose subjects remain stable under subjection to those in “higher” power. But another thought came to mind in reading the poems and the responses. That is the power or words, specifically poetry, to actually influence the political mind-set of readers because of the empathy the lines incite. The Barrett Browning poems are some of the most moving poems that I have ever read. “The Runaway Slave at Pilgrim’s Point” OMG.--heavy, heavy stuff. How could anyone hire a child or keep a slave having read their words? Political poetry makes me mindful of soliciting funds for our NGO. Others, more experienced, have told us that the best motivators for prompting financial giving are to appeal to the mind (reason) and the heart (emotion). When one is moved by both, most often that person will be compelled to institute a change within their own ability, in this case giving of money. I posit that all of the poets we have read have utilized the skill of appealing to reason and emotion through the delivery of their poetry. Lines in Barrett Browning’s “The Runaway Slave” are an appropriate example: Ha, ha! They are on me – they hunt in a ring! Keep off! I brave you all at once, I throw off your eyes like snakes that sting! You have killed the black eagle at nest, I think: Did you ever stand still in your triumph, and shrink From the stroke of her wounded wing? (205-210)
Here Barrett Browning forces the white man, and reader, to pause and contemplate the actions and consequences of slavery and its effects; both mind and heart are provoked.
Cara explained, “Political poems tend to do very well in slam competitions, in part because of the intensity and wide appeal of their content.” I believe that she speaks of the emotional intensity that rises when important and heated issues are addressed. So whether two hundred years old or two days, poetry imbues power. As for political poetry, I cannot think of any political issues which do not incur emotion. Unless, of course, if the reader has a conscious stance of indifference. Even then, I argue he/she would be moved if they read Barrett Browning.
Works Cited Barrett Browning, Elizabeth. “The Runaway Slave at Pilgrim’s Point.” Victorian Women Poets. Ed. Virginia Blain. Harlow: Pearson Longman, 2009. 63-71. Print.
ENG 764
Writing Response Wk 3_Weekend
When I think of political poetry I think of poetry that makes a statement about power relations between people, peoples, nations, etc. Rarely does someone write poetry of a utopian political condition. Most often, the poet emphasizes the unequal and often unjust and abusive power of one over another. According to this definition all of Barrett Browning’s poems that we read for Monday suit, as well as those mentioned by Jose and Cara. (I will not rename them.) I do wonder if “Goblin Market” could be considered political? What do you think? From my definition of political poetry stated above, I am not sure because the subjects in the poem, namely sisters as one group and goblins another, have interactions of power. Laura succumbs to the goblin’s power and Lizzie transposes it from the goblins to herself. So, in thinking aloud (rather typing) I would say that “Goblin Market” is a political poem as well. In “Goblin Market” power relations exchange and transfer rather than remain stable as in the poems “The Cry of the Children” and “A Curse for a Nation” whose subjects remain stable under subjection to those in “higher” power.
But another thought came to mind in reading the poems and the responses. That is the power or words, specifically poetry, to actually influence the political mind-set of readers because of the empathy the lines incite. The Barrett Browning poems are some of the most moving poems that I have ever read. “The Runaway Slave at Pilgrim’s Point” OMG.--heavy, heavy stuff. How could anyone hire a child or keep a slave having read their words?
Political poetry makes me mindful of soliciting funds for our NGO. Others, more experienced, have told us that the best motivators for prompting financial giving are to appeal to the mind (reason) and the heart (emotion). When one is moved by both, most often that person will be compelled to institute a change within their own ability, in this case giving of money. I posit that all of the poets we have read have utilized the skill of appealing to reason and emotion through the delivery of their poetry. Lines in Barrett Browning’s “The Runaway Slave” are an appropriate example:
Ha, ha! They are on me – they hunt in a ring!
Keep off! I brave you all at once,
I throw off your eyes like snakes that sting!
You have killed the black eagle at nest, I think:
Did you ever stand still in your triumph, and shrink
From the stroke of her wounded wing? (205-210)
Here Barrett Browning forces the white man, and reader, to pause and contemplate the actions and consequences of slavery and its effects; both mind and heart are provoked.
Cara explained, “Political poems tend to do very well in slam competitions, in part because of the intensity and wide appeal of their content.” I believe that she speaks of the emotional intensity that rises when important and heated issues are addressed. So whether two hundred years old or two days, poetry imbues power. As for political poetry, I cannot think of any political issues which do not incur emotion. Unless, of course, if the reader has a conscious stance of indifference. Even then, I argue he/she would be moved if they read Barrett Browning.
Works Cited
Barrett Browning, Elizabeth. “The Runaway Slave at Pilgrim’s Point.” Victorian Women Poets.
Ed. Virginia Blain. Harlow: Pearson Longman, 2009. 63-71. Print.